ARS | Publication request: Catalysis in biodiesel processing

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: August 23, 2009
Publication Date: April 4, 2010
Citation: Schultz, A.K., Haas, M.J., Banavali, R. 2010. Catalysis in biodiesel processing. In: Knothe, G., Krahl, J., Van Gerpen, J., editors. The Biodiesel Handbook. 2nd Edition. Urbana, IL: American Oil Chemists Society Press. p. 67-84.

Technical Abstract: A substantial industry has grown in recent years to achieve the industrial scale production of biodiesel, a renewable replacement for petroleum-derived diesel fuel. The prevalent technology for biodiesel production at this time involves use of the long known single-use catalysts sodium hydroxide (or methylate) and sulfuric acid. To reduce spent catalyst disposal and its attendant charges and in attempts to lower production time and/or cost, a number of alternate catalysts are being explored. This chapter reviews results to date in this area. The bulk of contemporary research effort is focused on solid phase catalysts, since these allow ready recovery for reuse. Thus the chapter investigates progress in the development of alternate solid acid and base catalysts, both synthetic polymer-based and natural product (clays, metal oxides and salts, etc.) ones. In addition, progress in the development of enzymes, biologically produced proteins that exhibit catalytic activity, as catalysts for biodiesel production, is surveyed.